By Ling Hui
KUCHING, August 1: Kuching is getting a ‘facelift’ towards a modern city at areas to the south and north of the city without compromising their original traditional values in five years’ time.
Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said a long term master plan by the state government is underway to redevelop parts of the areas in Kuching city.
“We will transform a part of the abandoned areas under DBKU (Kuching North City Commission) and MBKS (Kuching South City Council) to give it a new life under our master plan,” he said when officiating at the Kuching City Day’s 32nd anniversary celebration at MBKS headquarters today.
“This is in efforts to rejuvenate those places without disturbing the old buildings,” he said, adding that it was private sector driven.
Abang Johari added that areas undergoing the modernisation plan included Padungan area at the south of the city, and those around Jalan Haji Taha and Jalan P.Ramlee to the north.
He was also confident this transformation could attract investors and added that his view was proven right when a Japanese company was keen to expand their operations in the Samajaya Free Industrial Zone.
“There is already an interest by one Japanese company and that involves an investment of USD5 billion, which amounts to RM20 billion.
“That will also bring employment opportunities to the people in the state,” said Abang Johari.
Present at the event were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, MBKS Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng and DBKU Mayor Datu Junaidi Reduan. —DayakDaily
